The National tribune., 1887-06-30
HELP US TO ESCAPE.

when we were told by the cavalry that the
rebs had recovered from the surprise Of their
two vOleys and were advancing. They ad-
vsed US 20 pull out as fast as possible, while
they would stay. make q show cf resistance,
and delay the rebels as long as they could. As
they had but n few rounds Of ammunition left,
they dared not expend it uselessly. So away
we went again through the mud. splash, splash,
through the darkness. We heard an occasional
shot in the rear, showing that Grierson's boys
were On the alert and fulfilling their promise
10 u.s.
Ere long we heard the rspid gslloping Of
horses and as they drew nearer. the rattle Of
cavalry sahers. We knew that our defenders
had been forced 10 fall back, and that in \ few
M nutes at most they would pass as, and there
would be no protection
BETWEEN Us AND OUR ENEMIES.
We got out Of the road in the bushes, very
careful 20 keep as near the timber as possible,
so that we might be guided by the passing
troops in the proper direction. There were no
stars visible. aud the dense shade intensified the
terrible darkness which hung over us.
Soon we heard the last of our cavalry pass
ont Of hearing in the distance but we dared
not enter the road, for we knew the rebels
would follow in close pursuit. Away back ia the
gloom We heard the advancing rebels moving
rapidly but cautiously. and soon the head OF
the troop was abreast of us, boisterously swear-
ing aud boastinG Of the deeds of the PAST two
days, little realizing that almost within arms
length of them were
THE TWO YANKEE sERGEASTs
whom they had chased few hours before, but
who nj this time had hut little fear OF them, as
they felt that Providence had spread about
them for their protection nights sable mantle.
The rebels kept passing for about half an
| hour, being perhaps a brigade In strength.
After we felt sure they had passed-roar-g guard
aud alive ventured back into the road and
! found that we could travel much more easily
and rapidly than IN the bushes where every
/ few minutes We ran against a tree or astrde a
sapling, or occasionally found ourselves fast
eniangled in grapevine.
We hurried along and soon came within
| hearing of the rebel rear We halted, fearing
that they might have done the same, and we
would run into their clutches At length their
voices died ont in the distance and We again
moved forward At fork of the road we
found that the rebels had taken tho right-hand,
which suited us exactly, as we knew the left
led almost directly 10 the railroad near German
town.
With lighter hearts we hurried on aud began
to run across straEglers Of our army who were
ahead Of us, representing
ALMOST EVERY REGIMENT
engaged 10 the expedition; among the rest
the jolly Sutler of the 93d Ind. We moved
along together quite chcerfuly until about
o'clock in the morning. Then tired nature
had done about all she could for US. We had
been two days and nights without sleep or food
| fOr our furnishing bodies. aud IL was about as
much rs we could stand mp under. One by one
the boys dropped on the ground by the road
side, unable TO prolong the struggle. At
0'clock only dozen Of us were left, and We
resolved TO take nap. Drawing away from
i q -
tree and lay down around it,
IL seemed that had not more than closed
my eyes until was awakened by
FEARFUL RACKET IN THE ROAD.
The woods seemed full of troops cavalry, but
who they were / had no means Of knowing.
/ They were cursing at a terrible rate. / found
all my comrades sleeping like dead men. aud
il was with great difficulty that | could arouse
| them. As the noise at the roadside struck their
ears they become suddenly alert. told them
] would creep out 20 the road aud endeavor 10
fnd out who they were, and return and report.
| Taking my bearings as best could in the dark
| ness. so that ] might iud my way back,
| started and reached the road on a slightly ele-
waited piece Of ground through which the road
had been cut, aud standing directly above the
troops j listened intcntly 10 their conversation.
that L might determine whether they were
friend or foe. A trooper rode mp. the column
being halted, and asked in language more
| forrihle than elegant:
Whose id cavalry is this2"
The answer came back out Of the darkness
The 10Th Mo, you id fool"
| was no better satisfied as 10 who they were
than before, as ] knew the rebels had a 10Th
| Mo as well we; hut in a moment all my
doubts were set at rest by the frst speaker say.
ing he was looking for Gen. Grierson. when
the second speaker told him this was the Gen.
erals body guard, and that the General was
BUT A FEW FEET AWAY.
] &C once called NV comrades and they hur
ried 30 me. We entered the roal at the head
Of the halting cavalry column, where sat glo
riOus old Gen. Grierson. He seemed surprised
30 see us come out of the wood and remark ed
that he didn't think there was a single infant
ryman left. and that we must hurry on and
get as far toward Memphis as possible, for al
daylight the rebels. who We're close in the rear
would make determined effort to capture ths
few remaining stragglers ere they could reach
Memphis; that he had but three rounds Of am
rnunition left, and therefore could do but littl,
10 defend u.s.
Thanking him for his kindness we pushed
on. but many OF the boys were too much over
come 20 20 further aud dropped out one by
one until on rearhiHg Germantown, on thi
Memphis & Charleston Railroad. only two o
us were left About o'clock We saw GriersoI
pass across the road in our rear, with his cav
airy,
THE REBELS IN CLOSE PURSUIT,
firing and yelling like iends. We knew the-
must recrOss the railroad again ahead Of US
after they had made detour of about a hal
mile. We concealed ourselves until they bOtl
, | passed over, when We resumed our march.
Turning short bond in the road we saw
soldier approaching. and. realizing that n
friend would Toe coming from that direction
alone, concluded that he was a rebel who ha
seen us had dism0unted, and WAS coming 3
: capture us. We hastily made up our mind
that 10 single rebel could capture us aliye al
, though unarmed The idea of having 10 marc
, the dreary road back 10 Guntown. over whic
f we had SO wearily plodded for days and night.
ncryed us 10 desperation. The road was bal
lasted with stone, so gathering up good soli
: one in each hand we marched on toward th
, enemy. determined TO fight for the libert
which now seemed d0Bbly sweet 10 us. w
, knew were within about 30 miles Of Men
phiS. We were close enough 10 see the colo
Of the fellows clothes aud they were unmil
tHEahly butternut. As we approached be a
r costed us with:
Hello. boys; where are yOu gOingY"
On being Answo red Memphis" " ne laughe,
| and remarked that we would be "A long tin
getting there IL We continued in that direction
We perceived that he wore what was once blu
but which was SO
A sNEARED WITH THE SACRED somr
! Of Mississippi and Tennessee that In color
would pass muster very readily for Coufede
ate gray. On inquiry who be was be told ,
J he belonged 10 the 95th Ohio which was one